Creating a Connected Forest Corridor for Nature Recovery and Climate Resilience: Derwent Living Forest
River Derwent Catchment, Derbyshire, England, United Kingdom
The Derwent Living Forest project aims to restore and reconnect woodlands and wetlands across the Derwent catchment, establishing a continuous ecological corridor between the National Forest in the south and the Northern Forest in the north. By creating 30,000 hectares of woodland habitat across the catchment by 2050, alongside recovering wetlands and other habitats, the initiative seeks to deliver climate adaptation, carbon sequestration, natural flood management, and biodiversity recovery—anchored in community engagement and sustainable land use.
Historically, the Derwent Valley—whose name derives from the Brittonic *Deruentiū*, meaning “forest of oak trees”—was a vast oak forest. Centuries of clearance, urbanisation, and agricultural expansion have fragmented this habitat, leading to steep declines in woodland species. Derbyshire, lying between upland and lowland Britain, faces unique pressures from climate change: upland species threatened by warming and drying, and lowland habitats squeezed by development and agricultural intensification. The Derwent catchment remains a key stronghold for ancient semi-natural woodland, offering a foundation for landscape-scale restoration and connectivity.
- Establishes a new, climate-resilient forest corridor linking the National Forest to the Northern Forest.
- Targets 30,000 ha of woodland and wetland creation over 30 years, with 250 ha planned by 2023.
- Targets implementing natural flood management (NFM) measures across 300 ha of existing habitats to slow water flow and reduce flood risk.
- Integrates carbon sequestration, biodiversity recovery, and ecosystem service delivery into one long-term landscape vision.
- Promotes community access, engagement, and development of a nature-based economy.
- 2023: 250 ha of new woodland/wetland habitat targeted; 300 ha of NFM targeted; 30,000 ha roadmap in place.
- By 2030: 30% of Derbyshire connected and protected for nature recovery; species such as beaver envisioned to be wild and actively managing ecosystems.
- By 2040: Expanding woodland networks link Derbyshire to neighbouring counties; pine marten envisioned to return.
- By 2050: 30,000 ha of woodland, wood pasture, orchards, and agroforestry envisioned; beavers, red squirrels, turtle doves, nightingales and pearl-bordered fritillaries thriving.
The Derwent Living Forest project seeks to re-establish a resilient, multifunctional landscape centred on the River Derwent. By connecting ancient semi-natural woodlands, new planting, wetlands, and other habitats, the initiative aims to restore ecosystem processes across the catchment. Activities include large-scale woodland creation, enhancement of ecosystem's connectivity, NFM interventions to slow runoff, and species reintroductions (envisioned for later years of the project). The project is designed to foster both ecological and socio-economic renewal—building a living, accessible landscape for people and wildlife while contributing to climate adaptation and carbon capture.
Key stakeholders
- Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
- Local landowners, community groups, and volunteers
- National Forest (south) and Northern Forest (north)
Financial metrics
Funding sources
- Primary funding: Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
Budget
- Information not available
Environmental
- Large-scale woodland and wetland creation connecting northern and southern forest initiatives.
- Carbon sequestration: projected to capture millions tonnes of carbon over 30 years.
- Hydrological benefits: NFM measures and beaver activity to slow flows, reduce flood peaks, and enhance water retention.
- Biodiversity recovery: return of keystone and indicator species—beaver, pine marten, red squirrel, nightingale, turtle dove, and pearl-bordered fritillary.
- Ecosystem restoration: regeneration of rivers, grasslands, hedgerows, and ecotones for complex habitat mosaics.
Social
- Enhanced public access and recreation within a connected natural landscape.
- Community participation through volunteering and citizen engagement envisioned.
- Growth of a nature-based economy supporting livelihoods linked to restoration and ecosystem services.
- Improved physical and mental wellbeing through stronger human–nature relationships.
Economic
- Nature-based economic transition envisioned.
- Climate uncertainty may alter habitat trajectories; adaptive management will be required.
- Land-use change depends on continued landowner cooperation and incentives.
- Balancing rewilding ambitions with productive farming and local access needs careful planning.
- Connectivity is critical: Linking northern and southern forests enables climate-driven species movement.
- Landscape diversity builds resilience: Combining woodland, wetland, grassland, and edge habitats maximises ecosystem stability and biodiversity.
- Partnerships are essential: Engaging landowners and local communities ensures long-term adoption and local support.
- Integration of NFM and rewilding: Combining engineered and ecological processes (e.g., beaver activity) enhances hydrological and ecological outcomes.
For Reference
- Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, 2025.
Information not available yet.
